Isak seals Liverpool comeback as nine-man Brentford fall

Alexander Isak struck in the 70th minute as Liverpool came from behind to beat Brentford 2-1 on 17 October 2026.

The win ended Brentford's unbeaten start to the season and lifted Liverpool into fifth place in the Premier League, according to The Guardian.

Brentford had led 1-0. Keane Lewis-Potter headed them in front from Igor Thiago's cross.

The game turned just before half-time. Brentford midfielder Yehor Yarmolyuk was sent off for a head-butt on Liverpool defender Jérémy Jacquet. Brentford were still 1-0 up at that point.

Liverpool thought they had a way back from the penalty spot. Referee John Brooks first gave a penalty for Dango Ouattara's challenge on Alexis Mac Allister, then changed his mind after watching the replay on the pitchside monitor, the screen officials use to review big calls. He ruled Ouattara touched the ball first.

Brentford held the lead into the second half. Then Liverpool's pressure told.

Victor Muñoz levelled from an assist by Florian Wirtz. It was Wirtz's second assist of the season. The German joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen for £116m.

The winner came on 70 minutes. Bradley Barcola nodded the ball down for Isak to finish. It was Barcola's first assist in Liverpool colours, days after his hat-trick against LASK in midweek.

Isak had missed the previous week's defeat to Manchester City through injury. He returned to settle a tight game.

Brentford finished with nine men. Vitaly Janelt was dismissed late on.

Liverpool also had to reshuffle. Dominik Szoboszlai went off injured and was replaced by 19-year-old Trey Nyoni, with Ryan Gravenberch suspended.

What makes this stand out is the patience of it. Down at half-time, down to the noise of a home crowd sensing an upset, Liverpool kept the ball and waited for the extra man to count. Two clear moves. Two goals. Job done.